Protestor 'sets fire to himself' on tennis court at Laver Cup with fans left gobsmacked

Rafael Nadal will be the next tennis great to retire from the professional game after watching his iconic rival Roger Federer leave the sport in emotional scenes at the Laver Cup.The Spaniard has won a record 22 Grand Slam titles and bookies believes his Laver Cup tears, in which he was pictured looking hugely emotional next to Federer at the Laver Cup in London, are a sign he is next to quit professional tennis. Nadal currently has 10/11 odds of retiring with Sporting Index, which are shorter than Andy Murray (6/4) and Novak Djokovic (6/1).After winning the Australian and French Open titles this year Nadal was forced to withdraw from his Wimbledon semi-final after struggling with an abdominal injury.

Andy Murray says he will not be deserving of a huge Roger Federer-esque send-off when he finally decides to call it a day.The two-time Wimbledon champion, 35, is yet to return to his breathtaking best after undergoing a second hip surgery in 2019 but has cooled rumours of retirement by informing supporters, "I'm really not thinking about that right now."Murray, who this year reached the third round of the US Open, formed part of Europe's Laver Cup team as they were defeated 13-8 by the World team at the O2 Arena in London. READ MORE: Novak Djokovic details WhatsApp group with Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Andy MurrayLosing Sunday's doubles match, alongside Queen's Championship winner Matteo Berrettini, Murray paid tribute to legendary tennis ace Federer, who announced beforehand that the Laver Cup would host his final match on the ATP tour."I certainly won't and don't deserve to have a send-off like that," said three-time major champion Murray, pondering his own retirement plans.

Alexander Bublik left the crowd beside themselves with rage after failing to pull off a trick shot.The tennis ace used the handle of his racket during the final of the Moselle Open in France on Sunday against Italian opponent Lorenzo Sonego.The Kazakhstani decided to show off with the flukey strike in an exchange - though Sonego went on to win the point and the showdown 7-6 6-2, clinching the title.READ MORE: Roger Federer and Rafa Nadal in tears - before Ellie Goulding 'ruins' career farewellIndeed, the piece of flamboyancy did not go down well with some of those at home.One scathed in a reply to the video which was uploaded to Instagram: “These clowns are ruining the game! Nick Kyrgios included!" One said: “What was he thinking? He should've gone down the line!” Another stated: “It’s a final of an official ATP event where everything was at stake and this is a break point. I’m one of those who I mostly enjoys Kygrios’ antics but this isn’t enjoyable in any way.”Do you think it was a disrespectful shotLet us know in the comments section.But someone had a bit of an opposing view: “Lots of people don't like this guy, but he is one among others who doesn't forget that tennis is a game.”At the time, Bublik, who is world No44, was on a break point at 3-1 down in the second set - and after Sonego hit back a return, giving him an easy chance to seal the win, he gripped his racket frame and whacked the ball back over the net.Sonego was there to hit it back, before the Kazakhstani smashed the ball into the net, leaving the crowd and those at home both frustrated and in disbelief.

David Beckham took to social media with a heartfelt message for tennis star Roger Federer after his final tennis match at the Laver Cup.MORE: David Beckham celebrates career news following Queen queue praiseThe former football star shared the sweet words for the star on his Instagram Stories to his 75.3 million followers alongside a photo of the legendary player mid-match.WATCH: David Beckham reveals heartfelt reason why he joined the queue to see the Queen's coffinThe doting father penned: "Something we will all miss. Nothing more beautiful than this @rogerfederer."READ: Exclusive: Inside Andy Murray, Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic's friendship, rivalry and family lifeSEE: Roger Federer announces retirement from tennis - 'This is a bittersweet decision'Last week, Roger announced he was retiring from the sport.

Roger Federer sheds tears after his final match during the 2022 Laver Cup at The O2 Arena on September 23, 2022 in London, England.

READ MORE: Protester sets fire to himself on tennis court at Laver Cup with fans left gobsmackedPlay had to be stopped in London during the match between Stefanos Tsitsipas and Diego Schwartzman on Friday before the man in question was dragged off the court.The protester had made his way onto the court wearing a t-shirt that read "End UK private jets" before he set himself and an object on the floor on fire."However, security were able to extinguish the flames before they dragged away the climate change protester."A statement from the Laver Cup read: "A man accessed the court this afternoon and was promptly removed by security.What do you think of the protest? Let us know in the comments section."Play was stopped briefly, he has been arrested and the situation is being handled by the police."Tsitsipas, who defeated Schwartzman 6-2, 6-1, said: “It came out of nowhere. I have no idea what it’s all about.

A man sporting a t-shirt protesting the use of private jets interrupted today’s Laver Cup tennis exhibition in London by igniting a small fire on the court and accidentally (and briefly) setting his arm ablaze.

Tennis great Roger Federer, who recently announced his retirement from the game, will go out with a longtime friend and rival by his side: Rafael Nadal will partner with Federer tomorrow night for London’s Laver Cup.

Roger Federer has announced he will retire from professional tennis later this year at the age of 41, meaning tributes have been pouring in for one of the greatest players of the sport. The 20-time Grand Slam champion will play the Laver Cup tournament in London next week (known as the tennis version of the Ryder Cup) for his final professional competition. In a letter posted to his social media accounts, Federer broke the news about his "bittersweet decision" to fans:"To my tennis family and beyond.

Roger Federer once slammed his tennis rivals by taking a dig at their ‘wife-a-year’ bed-hopping antics.The Swiss tennis legend, 41, announced on Thursday that he was set to retire as one of the greatest players ever. He said in an emotional statement that he ‘knows his body’ before calling time on a career which included 20 Grand Slam titles.During that time, one of the constants which has undoubtedly been integral to his success is his wife Mirka.

Roger Federer will retire from tennis after next week's Laver Cup, aged 41. The 20-time Grand Slam champion has been struggling with a knee problem for the last three years and has decided now is the time to step away. Federer will play in next week's Laver Cup in London, the Ryder Cup-style competition that was his brainchild, but will then leave the professional game.

Roger Federer is regarded as one of the greatest athletes in tennis and with that comes millions in prize money and around $1 billion in endorsements. It’s understandable, then, if you’re curious how much he made over his 24-year career and what Roger Federer’s net worth is now that he’s retired.

Roger Federer has announced his retirement! The 41-year-old tennis player and former Wimbledon champion will play professionally one last time at the Laver Cup. Federer —known for winning 20 Grand Slams — took to social media to share with his fans his plans to part ways with the sport. “As many of you know, the past three years have presented me with challenges in the form of injuries and surgeries,” the athlete began.

Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer have one of sports biggest and best rivalries. The two have played each other numerous times, winning, losing, and everything in between. Following Federer’s retirement from the sport, Nadal took to Instagram to share a sweet message of comeraderie.

With Love, Roger pic.twitter.com/1UISwK1NINFederer was ranked world No. 1 for 310 weeks in his career, and that includes at one point for a record 237 consecutive weeks.

Jazz Tangcay Artisans Editor A few weeks after Serena Williams played her last tennis match to move away from the sport, Roger Federer on Thursday announced he is also retiring. In a video posted on his social media, Federer, who has won 20 Grand Slam titles, said, ” Many of you know the past three years have presented me with challenges in the form of injuries and surgeries.” He continued: “I’ve worked hard to return to full competitive form. But I also know my body’s capacities and limits and its message to me lately has been clear. I’m 41-years-old. I’ve played more than 1500 matches over 24 years. It has treated me more generously than I’ve ever dreamt, and now I must recognize when it is time to end my competitive career.”

Roger Federer, one of tennis’ all-time great players, has announced his retirement from the sport, saying, he knows his “body’s capacities, and limits and its message to me lately have been clear.”

Tennis legend Roger Federer has announced that he's to retire from the sport, at the age of 41.The Swiss star broke the news on social media on Thursday afternoon, thanking fans for the "unbelievable journey" he's been on throughout his 24-year career.He revealed that injures and recent fitness troubles made him realise that "it is time to end", and that he will play his final ever match at next week's Laver Cup in London.Federer will go down as one of the all time greats of the game after winning 20 Grand Slam singles titles, including eight Wimbledon titles - more than any other player in history.READ MORE: Roger Federer took almost four days to recover from drunken night after US Open win"As many of you know, the past three years have presented me with challenges in the form of injuries and surgeries," Federer wrote in a heartfelt statement. "I know my body's capacities and limits, and its message to me lately has been clear."I am 41-years-old, I have played more than 1500 matches … I must now recognise when it is time to end my competitive career.

Wimbledon champion Roger Federer, 41, has announced his retirement from the sport, and confirmed next week's Laver Cup is set to be his final ATP event.MORE: Everything you need to know about Laver Cup 2022Taking to social media on Thursday, the tennis star - who has 20 Grand Slams to his name - addressed his fans: "As many of you know, the past three years have presented me with challenges in the form of injuries and surgeries.WATCH: Duchess Kate plays tennis with children"I've worked hard to return to full competitive form. But I also know my body's capacities and limits, and its message to me lately has been clear. I am 41 years old.